Child Abuse
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Current News
For a comprehensive list of CSD Publications please visit CSD Publications.
If you use Youth or Family Services: Heads Up! Things are gonna change:
You might need a hand to find what you’re looking for!
So we are able to provide better services to children, young people and their families, the Community Services Directorate and Community Service Providers are making some improvements to Youth and Family Support Services in the ACT. You will start to see some changes over the next few months but there will also be some things that will stay the same. more information on the Youth and Family Fact Sheet.
ACT Review of the Emergency Response Strategy for Children in Crisis in the ACT
Enhanced Bail Service for Youth Justice
The After-Hours Bail Support Service (the Service) provides a service for young people who are at risk of being remanded in custody, to assist them to remain in the community. The Service makes assessments of young people’s suitability for bail and provides support and advice to young people, family and other supports and the police.
The Service’s target group is young people in police custody in relation to fresh offences, where the watch house sergeant is considering refusing bail and young people already on bail, who are at risk of breaching their bail, or who have already breached their bail.
This Service operates between 5pm- 2am weekdays and 4pm-2am weekends and public holidays. The After Hours Bail Support Service has a toll free number which is 1800 178 277.
For further information, please email AHBSS@act.gov.au
ACT Government Response to the ACT Human Rights Commission’s Report into Bimberi and the Youth Justice System
On 18 October 2011, the ACT Government tabled its response to ‘The ACT Youth Justice System 2011: A Report to the ACT Legislative Assembly by the ACT Human Rights Commission’ in the Legislative Assembly. The ACT Government’s response to the Commission’s Report was informed by advice provided by the Youth Justice Implementation Taskforce, which has been established to take forward the recommendations of the Commission’s Report. The Taskforce will now embark on developing a ‘Blueprint for Youth Justice in the ACT’ as the key platform of the ACT Government’s response to the Commission’s Report. The Blueprint will provide the strategic direction for the development of the youth justice system over the next 5-10 years.
ACT Government Response to the ACT Human Rights Commission’s Report into Bimberi and the Youth Justice System [RTF 1MB]
ACT Government Response to the ACT Human Rights Commission’s Report into Bimberi and the Youth Justice System [PDF 700KB]
ACT Human Rights Commission on Bimberi
On 29 July 2011, the ACT Human Rights Commission presented its Report into Bimberi and the broader youth justice system to the ACT Attorney General.
ACT Human Rights Commission on Bimberi 
Bimberi Operations and Financial Performance Audit Internal Audit 2009-2010
The Human Rights Commission in its report, The ACT Youth Justice System 2011: a report to the ACT Legislative Assembly by the ACT Human Rights Commission published on 28 July 2011 referenced the Bimberi Operations and Financial Performance Audit Internal Audit 2009-2010 by Oakton. As a consequence it is in the public interest to make this internal audit report available to the ACT community to provide greater clarity.
More information on the Bimberi Operations and Financial Performance Audit Internal Audit 2009-2010
Lost in Transition: Exploring young people's experiences of transition from youth detention in the ACT
In 2007-8, the Institute of Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University (ICPS) conducted a research project for the ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services (DHCS) that attempted to develop a better understanding of the experiences of young people transitioning through the youth justice system. More information on the Lost in Transition report and Executive Summary.
Nominations for membership of the new Children and Young People Death Review Committee
Children and Young People Act 2008
The Minister for Community Services is seeking nominations from suitably qualified and experienced people in the community for membership to the new ACT Children and Young People Death Review Committee. Nominations provide an opportunity for community members to work to prevent and reduce future deaths of children and young people in the ACT.
Nominations closed on 29 July 2011.
More information about the new Children and Young People Death Review Committee
Towards a Diversionary Framework for the ACT
The Minister for Community Services released a Discussion Paper, Towards a Diversionary Framework for the ACT on 14 February 2011.
The Community Services Directorate undertook consultation on the Discussion Paper during March and April 2011 and the Minister for Community Services hosted a roundtable meeting. Towards a Diversionary Framework for the ACT
Written comments on the Discussion Paper were invited and closed on 15 April 2011.
ACT Carers Charter Community Consultation Report
After broad community consultation in 2010, the report on the consultation process and outcomes of consultation has been finalised. A copy of the consultation report is available. The ACT Carers Charter will now be developed to reflect the needs of the wide variety of carers in the ACT, as discussed by the community consultation process.
ACT Carers Charter Community Consultation Report [RTF 235KB]
ACT Carers Charter Community Consultation Report [PDF 110KB]
Young People Transitioning from Care - Community Feedback
The Discussion Paper Maximising Potential: improving life transitions for young people in care, was developed to engage the community sector and government service delivery agencies in identifying ways to improve the service provided by the Community Services Directorate.
The paper sought input from stakeholders on a proposed new model of service and aimed to generate discussion to inform the development of improved services. The consultation period on this paper closed on 30 November 2010. Seeking Community Feedback - Young People Transiting from Care
A summary of Responses to the Discussion Paper Maximising Potential: improving life transitions for young people in care and the consultation process surrounding the discussion paper, including public forums and youth focus groups, has been prepared and is available below.
Summary of Responses to the Youth Transitions Discussion Paper [RTF 1MB]
Summary of Responses to the Youth Transitions Discussion Paper [PDF 177KB]
Bimberi Change Management Project
Project Scope
Recognising that Bimberi has been operational for two years this December, and has been required to respond to higher numbers of young people, exhibiting complex behaviour, a review of Bimberi will commence from January 2011. The focus of the review will be the enhanced development of practices and policy in Bimberi and maximizing the contribution to rehabilitation outcomes for young residents, and promoting a positive work environment for staff.
This work is being progressed by CSD and is independent of the Bimberi Review currently being undertaken by the ACT Human Rights Commission. Further information about the Bimberi Review being undertaken by the Human Rights Commission is available at www.hrc.act.gov.au
Bimberi Review Project [RTF 97KB]
Bimberi Review Project [PDF 132KB]
For more information contact OCYFS@act.gov.au
Launch of Young Worker’s Guide
On 23 November 2010 Ms Joy Burch, Minister for Children and Young People launched the “Young People at Work in the ACT, What you need to Know guide.
Neglect Practice Paper, Policy and Practice Guidelines
Neglect Practice Paper [RTF 2MB]
Neglect Practice Paper [PDF 175KB]
On 3 November 2010 the Minister for Children and Young People Ms Joy Burch launched the Community Services Directorate's Neglect Policy, Practice Guidelines and Practice Paper. The Neglect Practice Paper was developed specifically for use by the community sector and is an easy to use guide to defining, identifying and responding to neglect issues. The Neglect Policy and Practice Guidelines have also been developed primarily for Directorate workers but have also been made available.
These documents are based on best practice research and will be a useful resource for caseworkers, professionals, practitioners, community workers and interested community members.
The Directorate will be holding forums and training sessions for government and community service providers about neglect over the coming months.
You can request copies of the Neglect Policy and Neglect Practice Guidelines by emailing ocyfs@act.gov.au or contacting the Office of Children Youth and Family Support, the Community Services Directorate on 6207 4515 ( please leave a message if voicemail answers).
ACT Carers Charter Discussion Paper
ACT Carers Charter Discussion Paper [RTF 399KB]
ACT Carers Charter Discussion Paper [PDF 98KB]
In October 2010 CSD released the ACT Carers Charter Discussion Paper for community comment. Louise Gray Consulting Services was engaged to undertake community consultation on the paper.
The project sought community feedback on the Draft Carers Charter to finalise the intent and wording of the Charter to enable its implementation across the community.
The Report notes that the key message from consultation participants is that the Charter must operate as one component in a broader strategy to achieve positive change for carers, which can be achieved through the integration of progressive policies and processes. The Report also highlights broad acceptance of an inclusive Charter as being a useful platform for the future directions of policy and support for carers in their caring role.
The ACT Carers Charter will now be developed to reflect the needs of the wide variety of carers in the ACT.
The full consultation report can be viewed at http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/home/publications
Launch of the ACT Foster Care Recruitment Initiative and the Foster Carers and Kinship Carers Guide
Foster Care Week 2010 (12-18 September 2010)
On 14 September 2010, Minister for Children and Young People Joy Burch will launch a new foster care recruitment initiative as part of National Foster Care Week. The launch will include the foster care recruitment television advertisement featuring local Canberra identities Tim Gavel, Duncan Smith, Amy Banson and Carly Wilson.
View advertisment 
Quicktime [2.4MB]
Advertisment text alternative [RTF 36KB]
Advertisment text alternative [PDF 16KB]
To find out more information about becoming a foster carer.
Foster Carer Flyer [Designer PDF 287KB]
Minister Burch will also launch the new Foster Carers and Kinship Carers Guide. The Guide is a resource to assist foster and kinship carers to navigate the ACT Care and Protection system. It has been developed by the ACT Community Services Directorate in partnership with the ACT Out of Home Care sector. The Guide will be provided to ACT foster and kinship carers in the coming weeks.
